Stage Door News
Stage Door News
Toronto Masque Theatre is thrilled to announce the world premiere of The Lesson of Da Ji by composer Alice Ping Yee Ho and librettist Marjorie Chan, both of Toronto, May 10 -12 at the Al Green Theatre.
An exploration of power in its different forms: including political, sexual and spiritual, this new masque will be performed alongside the Baroque classic, Venus and Adonis. Both productions will be presented as a double-bill under the banner The Lessons of Love.
Toronto Masque Theatre is one of the few companies in the world devoted to masque – a fusion of music, dance and theatre – which flourished in Europe during the 16th and 17th centuries. In addition to performing works from the canon, the company also commissions new work that redefines and reinvigorates the form and that will also reach out into different cultural traditions.
The Lesson of Da Ji is the company’s latest commission and Artistic Director, Larry Beckwith, had the following to say about the piece:
Alice Ho has translated Marjorie Chan's story into a powerful musical of vibrant colours and textures. One moment it feels like we're in a dream, the next we are forced to accept harsh truths. With great tenderness, honesty, humour and a certain macabre force, both artists have created a full-bodied, visceral, deep and imaginative world that will captivate audiences.
Set in the Shang Dynasty in ancient China, Chan’s libretto is based on a famous Chinese concubine whose story is immersed in love and revenge. For Chinese audiences, Da Ji is a well known historical figure but one understood mostly as an interfering supernatural being or a conniving seductress. The Lesson of Da Ji will allow audiences to look deeper into her character and experience her story within the context of a time and place mired in deep conflict.
Ho’s reinvention of the masque brings together elements from two traditions to create a rich musical drama. Her unique composition blends Baroque instruments (recorders, violins, viola da gamba, lute and harpsichord) and Chinese instruments (pipa, guzheng, erhu, gongs and drums) to create a sound that is at once fresh and beguiling and that strikes a balance between the brutal reality of the story and its timeless implications. The work features passages of great beauty that will showcase the virtuosity of the wonderful artists who will be performing including a cast of singers featuring three leads of Asian descent.
The evening will also feature Peking Opera artist William Lau. Playing a traditional female role he will represent the “Dark Moon”. The Peking Opera traditions of dramatic make up, elaborate costume, and Mandarin vocalizations create an unusual dreamscape, taking the audience to a more mystical experience of ancient China.
The Lesson of Da Ji will be directed by Derek Boyes while the companion piece, Venus and Adonis, will be directed by Marie-Nathalie Lacoursière. The evening will feature the following performers
Singers
Vania Chan; Charotte Corwin; Benjamin Covey; Alexander Dobson; Derek Kwan; Marion Newman; Xin Wang; Timothy Wong.
Dancers
Marie-Nathalie Lacoursière, Baroque choreographer/dancer; William Lau, traditional Peking Opera dancer.
Instrumentalists
Larry Beckwith will lead an ensemble featuring a blending of Baroque and Chinese instruments. The Baroque ensemble will feature: Alison Melville, recorder; Lucas Harris, lute; Noam Krieger, harpsichord. The Chinese ensemble will feature: Wen Zhao, pipa/zhongruan; Cynthia Ziewin Qin, guzheng; Patty Chan, erhu/gaohu. Strings: Kathleen Kajioka, violin; Elizabeth Loewen Andrews, viola; Justin Haynes, viola da gamba. Percussion: Ed Reifel.
What The world premiere of The Lesson of Da Ji, part of The Lessons of Love: a double-bill of passion.
When May 10th, 2013 at 8:00 pm; May 11th, 2013 at 8:00 pm; special Mother’s Day matinee, May 12th, 2013 at 3:00 pm. A pre-show chat with Artistic Director Larry Beckwith and guests will be held 45 minutes before all performances.
Where The Al Green Theatre; 750 Spadina Avenue (at Bloor).
How Tickets: $40; $35 (for seniors) and $20 (for under 30) available from the Al Green Box Office, 416-924-6211 ext. 0 or order tickets online from Toronto Masque Theatre.
Who For more information on Toronto Masque Theatre please go to our website.
2013-04-02
Toronto: Toronto Masque Theatre presents the world premiere of “The Lesson of Da Ji” May 10-12